The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-06-04


 the man that never did know"
 "S'pozen we leave it to her" said Little Bill. "We've been together too long to fall out even about a putty woman an' we'll jest 'bide by what she says"
 'That strikes me about right" the giant replied.
 They called on the widow the fol- lowing Sunday.
 "Miz Blake," said Big Bill, ''we've got something we want to say to you, so s'pozen we don't go to church, fur what we've got to say must be said airter all the other folks have dun gone offen the place."
 ''I am allus ready to hear anything to my intrust," the widow replied. My husband used to say that I was the patientest woman to lissen he ever seed in his life and he used to tell me that if could only overcome my unnatural dislike for razor back hogs an' take to helpin' little mo round the mourner's bench that I would be wuth my weight in shoats, an rekol- feet jest as well as if it was yistidy that few minits befo' his fatal pain struck him he eat piece of ham an' lowed that it was the finest billed meat he ever eat in his life. The folks have all gone, so now what have you got to say?"
 Big Bill, wanter do the talkin'?"
 No, Little Bill, ain't hurtin'. \ You, go ahead.
 "Wall, Mig Blake, it's just this,'' said the dwarf. Sour firm is power- ful i'll love with you an wants to marry you, but knowin' under the law as she now stands that firm kain't very well git married to one woman, wy we have agreed to leave it to you which one uv us to take Big Bill thar would make you a fine husband"
 No better than Little Bill thar, an mebby not half as good," replied the giant.
 "Wall, HOW, this do place me in q straight" said the widow. Il like you both jist the same, an l don't know which one to take. am in putty much the same fix my po' husband was in when he had to decide which razor back hog he oughter kill when he thought iist the same of all of them Big Bill, you air stronger, but Little Bill you air pearter. declare don't know which one of you to take It won't do to run race, fur Little Bill is the fastest. an it won't do to rassle, fur it's shore thing that Big Bill is the best man. How air you at poker ?"
 "'Bout the Same." said the giant.
 "Ain't a whit's difference" the dwarf agreed.
 Wall" said the widow, "therc is a deck of cards here summers and spozen we settle it that way
 The two men agreed and the woman produced the cards.
 They sat down, without any visible emotion, and while they were playing the widow placidly rocked herself. After a while the two men reached over and shook hands.
 "Who won?" the widow asked.
 "You did," replied Big Bill.
 "W hat do you mean by that?"
 Il mean that you have got the best man-Little Bill"
 "Oh, it don't make bit of difference to me-" she said. ''Now, let me see. There was something wanted to say. Oh, yes, l must know your other name for it would be horrid to go by the name of Mrs Little Bill"
 We won't argy about that" said the dwarf.
 "Oh, yes" said the widow, "there is something else that must be settled. The firm must be broke up. No mat ter how friendly you all are now, there mout come time when Big Bill, seein' how happy l am makin' you, would git dissatisfied. SO one of you, it makes no difference which, must leave"
 This idea met with approval. and another game of poker decided that Big Bill must leave. The next day d satisfactory settlement was made. and Big Bill, mounted on d reddish mule. rode away. His travels ceased when ne feacneu lonelN fcglon ol GeorTla, and there he settled down. Several years elapsed. when, one evening as Big Bill was sitting on stump by the side of a grass-grown road a can vas-covered wagon came in sight. and, as it drew near. Bill saw the tow heads of several children protruding from under the covering. He got up and was on the eve of turning away. when man ran around from the other side of the wagon.
 Wy, hello, Little Bin" the giant exclaimed.
 Stay where you air." said the dwarf, fur it's all ken do to keep from shootin' you"
 Wy, what on the face O the ycth is the matter, my ole friend?"
 ",jes this: believe you let me win